Ponza - a large island of volcanic origin, part of the Pontic archipelago (Del ponto arcipelago) in the Tyrrhenian Sea (mar Tirreno), washing Italy from the west. The total area of the island of Ponza is 7.3 km². On the island is the eponymous commune, which is part of the province of Latina (Provincia di Latina) in the Lazio region. The island of Ponza attracts tourists, as it provides rich opportunities for the following types of recreation:
- Beach vacation;
- Diving;
- Fishing, etc.
Thanks to the picturesque landscapes and coastal cliffs, this is a favorite place for Italians and a resort that is gaining popularity among tourists from Europe.
Story
The island of Ponza since ancient Rome (L'Antica Roma) was a port city and a place where fish farming developed. This is evidenced by archaeological finds on the island. The island was practically deserted in the Middle Ages, when frequent attacks by pirate ships and Saracen hordes were carried out on it. At this time, the surviving local population left the island.
Residents returned to Ponza and began to live their former lives only in the Renaissance (Rinascimento), when the island was included in the Kingdom of Naples (regno di Napoli).
Settlements
The central settlement is the port city of the same name. It looks amazingly beautiful from the sea, as the houses located on the mountain slopes are painted in bright colors and seem to be invited into a fairy tale.
Another feature of the island is the ban on the use of personal vehicles. Therefore, lovers of movement by car will be forced to use the rental points. The island has a bus service, thanks to which you can travel along the beaches of the island.
Many historical monuments can only be seen from the sea, so you have to use the services of rental boats and boats.
There are several villages on the island of Ponza: Commune di Ponza (Il comune di Ponza), Santa Maria (Santa Maria) and Le Forna (Le Forna).
Natural monuments
A unique feature of Ponza is its underwater and surface caves of artificial and natural origin. Many of them are of cultural, historical and archaeological value. Valuable finds discovered by archaeologists help to better know the history of Italy.
To explore the caves and grottoes, you will need to rent a motor boat or a boat and go on a trip around the island.
Of interest is the cliff of Capo Bianco, in the underwater part of which there are several grottoes, and several more surface ones are of such dimensions that you can freely go there by boat.
One of the most ancient objects is the grottoes of Pilate (Le grotte di Pilato). These are several artificial grottoes located on the rocky shores of the island during the time of Ancient Rome. Many names of caves and rocks are associated with ancient legends. The cliff Lucia Rosa (Faraglioni di Lucia Rosa) got its name in honor of the girl who rushed from here to the sea when her father did not allow her to marry her lover - a poor farmer.
The Papa Bay (Punta del Papa) keeps the memory of real historical events. Here, at a depth of 21 meters, there is still a U.S. cargo ship sunken during World War II. Scuba divers dive here.
Not far from the island in the middle of the sea is the Natural Arch (Arco Naturale), which is a lonely standing rock in the shape of a gate, under which you can swim in a small boat.
In order to get acquainted with the main treasures of the island, you must use the services of rental points for sea vessels (with and without a guide, with a captain and without): average price of a boat trip around the island with sightseeing and lunch - 30 €;You can rent a boat without a captain for 150 € per day.
Beaches
Many picturesque bays are secluded clean beaches:
- Theola (Cala Feola), in the coastal part of which there are interesting pools, dug not by human hand, but by the sea;
- La Caletta Beach with natural marble pools (Piscine Naturale);
- The Bay of Water (Cala dell'Acqua), located near the village of Le Forna, accessible to tourists traveling by car;
- Fonte Beach (Cala Fonte), open to the sun throughout the day;
- Fern Bay (Cala Felci), a beach holiday destination with a pebble beach surrounded by cliffs.
The most famous place is the beautiful Crescent Bay of Chiaia di Luna, surrounded by 30-meter-high rocky shores. There are several underwater grottoes and a bottom with many reefs that attract diving enthusiasts, as well as a beautiful sandy beach. For safety reasons, the rocks are reinforced with metal nets that protect tourists from dangerous landslides.
- We recommend reading: the best beaches near Rome
Fishing
The most favorable weather for a holiday in Ponza - from May to mid-October. At this time, you can go fishing. Among the common breeds - sea bass, barracuda, dorado, conger, sea bass, seriolla, perch polyprion, etc.
In order to fish, you can rent a rubber or plastic boat with a motor or book a fishing tour with an instructor.
Services for organizing boat trips and fishing are provided by our friends and partners. Contact us through the contact form.
Hotels
July-August is considered to be the high season on the island, it is at this time that it may be difficult to book rooms, so it is better to take care of this in advance. Low season - from mid-September to October, during storms when ferries to the island are suspended.
3 stars
3 star hotels offer affordable accommodation. The small area of the rooms is offset by excellent service and proximity to the sea.
Hotel ortensia
Hotel Ortensia is located on a small hill, offering travelers a wonderful view of the sea and the coastal strip. You can admire the sea from the windows of the rooms and from the outdoor terrace. The beach can be reached on foot in 10 minutes. The classic design of the rooms is complemented by natural wood furniture. Family and standard rooms have air conditioning, safes, TV and refrigerators, 24-hour free Internet access.
Ortensia serves a buffet breakfast with tea, coffee and sweets. At the restaurant you can try Italian dishes, a gluten-free menu. The hotel welcomes tourists with pets. Ortensia provides additional diving services. Free parking is available nearby. The hotel has facilities for leisure travelers with disabilities.
Hotel Villaggio Dei Pescatori
Villaggio Dei Pescatori's rooms and terrace offer views of Cala Feola Bay. The stylish rooms are equipped with air conditioning systems, minibars, household appliances (hairdryer, TV). The hotel provides guests with free Internet access, a transfer from the port to the hotel, and parking at the hotel.
The restaurant will delight you with delicacies according to local recipes and wines, and diet dishes are also prepared upon request. The hotel can accommodate pets. The hotel has guides and diving instructors, as well as facilities for disabled and non-smokers.
4 stars
Four-star hotels are distinguished by a wide range of services that meet the needs of vacationers.
Hotel staff take care of the variety of leisure activities of their guests.
Hotel Chiaia Di Luna
Surrounded by greenery, Chiaia Di Luna Hotel is built on a mountainside, so you can see the sea and neighboring islets from the windows. The standard-style rooms, family rooms, suites, bridal suites equipped with split systems, household appliances (TV) look harmoniously decorated in a Mediterranean style. Guests can use the pool, free internet access.
Visitors are offered a breakfast buffet, national dishes and local wines, gluten-free dishes, children's dishes. The hotel offers a transfer from the port to the hotel, free private parking, evening entertainment, music evenings with a DJ. Families with children are offered qualified babysitting services. For business people the hotel has rooms for seminars and symposiums.
For holidays and special days you can rent a banquet hall. The range of hotel services includes the organization of walking tours, scuba dives, boat trips, canoeing. Here you can profitably rent a car. The only restriction: tourists with pets are not accepted here.
Grand hotel santa domitilla
Grand Hotel Santa Domitilla is located in a green area near the sea coast - near the beach of Chiaia Di Luna, it has pools with sea water, a SPA salon with a wide range of services. Comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi are equipped with necessary appliances, split systems, modern furniture, safes. Guests are offered a breakfast buffet, they prepare delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and you can order diet and baby food.
Here, vacationers with pets are welcome, for couples with kids there are highly qualified nannies. The hotel organizes leisure for visitors: they hold musical evenings and family games, diving instructors work, and fishing organization services are provided.
The hotel offers a banquet room, as well as for business meetings and scientific events. Frequent guests of the hotel are newlyweds, for whom holiday rooms are equipped.
Apartments and B&B
Apartments on the island of Ponza have a high level of comfort, suitable for families with children.
B&B Casa Carmela
The comfortable Casa Carmela apartments have a spacious veranda, bathroom and kitchenette with air conditioning, toiletries, household appliances, dishes, and others. They offer delicious homemade breakfasts. Here you can relax with your pets. You can hire a qualified babysitter for the little ones.
Maridea Casevacanza - Ostrica
Maridea Casevacanza - Ostrica apartments with a terrace, kitchen, living room are ideal for families. Comfortable furniture, all the necessary kitchen utensils, magnificent views will make your vacation unforgettable and enjoyable. Families can come with pets.
How to get there
You can get to the island of Ponza from nearby port cities:
- Anzio, from which you can get to the island of Ponza by boat, but the message is irregular, and the cost of the trip is high;
- Formia, from which it is 70 km to Ponza, and access to the island is possible in 2 and a half hours using the Laziomar ferry service, which operates throughout the year, or in 70 minutes by speed boat;
- The most convenient option is Terracina, from where it takes 70 minutes to get to Ponza, the cost of a round-trip ticket is about 25 euros;
- San Felice Circeo, from which to Ponza by sea only 42 kilometers.
If you plan a trip to the island of Ponza from Rome, then the travel time by rail to the port cities will take 1.5-2 hours:
- 1 hour to Anzio, located 80 kilometers from the capital of Italy;
- 2 hours to Formia, located 160 kilometers from Rome;
- 1.5 hours to Terracina, to which you need to travel 130 kilometers from Rome by train;
- 1 hour to San Felice Circeo (111 km).
For information on tickets and rail timetables, see the official website www.trenitalia.com.
Ponza Island can be reached from Naples by SNAV ferry. The average price of a one-way ticket is 50-60 euros. Information on the days and time of departure of the ferry can be found at www.directferries.ru.
